Katherine Robertson, the chief prosecutor in the Alabama attorney general’s office and current candidate for AG, gave a shot across the bow to a University of Alabama (UA) professor who was subject to 1819 News reporting regarding his apparent flouting of the state’s ban on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
An 1819 News report showed political science professor Terry Hughston seemingly challenging the state’s DEI ban, which applies to colleges and other schools.
RELATED: University of Alabama professor pushes DEI in class syllabus — 'The state government can come at me'
Hughston’s spring 2026 syllabus for PSC 205: Political Theory includes a DEI statement, despite the law’s restrictions.
"I am willing to do whatever it takes to continue to work on creating an inclusive classroom environment," the syllabus states.
Hughston allegedly told students in class that "the state government can come at me if they want to," referring to his statement.
In response to Hughston’s alleged challenge for the state to “come at me,” Robertson took to social media to offer a terse but direct response, rhetorically asking, “You sure about that?”
A spokesperson for the AG’s office responded to 1819 News, “It is the longstanding policy of this office to neither confirm nor deny the possibility of an investigation. We note, however, that Alabama law expressly prohibits compelling students or employees to affirm or adopt specific concepts pertaining to race, class, sexuality, or national origin."
Alabama’s DEI ban, signed into law in 2024, restricts public universities from promoting or requiring DEI-related concepts in classrooms and programming. The law specifically targets institutional endorsement of identity-based frameworks tied to race, gender, and other protected characteristics.
The law also prohibits agencies and boards of education from maintaining a DEI office or department, or from sponsoring any DEI program or program that advocates a divisive concept.
RELATED: University of Alabama moves forward to end DEI- and gender-based programs
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
